Review Date
August 15, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: Jouster ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I've been riding this trail since 1990. This was before 52 was built through it and the Navy controlled everything east of where 52 is now (and didn't care who rode on it).

After 52 came in, we regulary used the wildlife crossing west of the canyon to access military land.

Took a ride out there last weekend and discovered a few things:
- The north side of the wildlife tunnel is blocked off by chain-link fencing and barbed wire.
- The passage to the canyon along the south side fence of 52 is treacherous. Exposed bedrock on very steep rain gutted trails is a true adventure even to walk down.

Other than that, it's a good ride. The ride around the mountain, across the damn and back up the trial from Jackson was 9.4 miles with 1250 ft of elevation gain/loss.

Recommended Route:
Anything that avoids the south side fence along 52.

Review Date
April 22, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: ljfreerider ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I used to live in Scripps Ranch and started from the opposite end. It is awesome! Choose wherever you want to go! There are literally hundreds of miles of trails out there. Just watch out for the army guys! I once was on foot back there when a buggy came by and i instinctivly ran behind a tree and they got pretty pissed off. lol

You guys should definetly try this!

Review Date
January 16, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: sjordan72 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
The recent storms have obliterated the east end of Mission Trails. Most of the singletrack out under the 52 towards Miramar has been wiped out by water. 2-4 foot dropoffs are common where the singletrack used to be. Water, water everywhere for now. The good news is that its nice and green. A 2 hour ride became a 4 hour adventure. Take care and have fun.

Review Date
September 15, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Lowes ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
If you are a Mission Trails Local, you should know this trail already, if not, you are getting hooked up right now:

Take the 52 out to Santee, exit and park at the Santee Mission Trails (Father J) entrance. Take the trail that runs over the damn, and then follow either one of the riverbed trails that will go under the 52 over pass and out of Mission Trails Park. This trail leads to an area that is expansive, and is bordered by the Santee Land Fill to the east, the I-15 to the west, Scripps Ranch, El Cajon, and La Mesa - it’s pretty huge. Follow the main, fairly flat and heavily used trail that runs along the creek bed until you reach a steep hill w/ switchbacks at about mile 5. This trail then links up with fire roads and single-track trails that lace this entire area, and you can link them up to customize rides up to 20 - 35+ miles long that can lead you all over San Diego’s more local East County (granted I am talking about snaking loops-but the fire roads are endless, so you can get creative). If you are into hills, you can eat them up one after another by dropping in and out of canyon valleys, or you can simply follow the many linked ridges for a more relaxed ride. There are all kinds of old military buildings, old industrial complexes, and old ranch stuff dotting this area, not to mention unexploded ordinance, so stay on the trails! If you have a GPS, you might want to bring it if you are a X-country rider and out there for the first time and intending on doing the miles…..like I said, this area can be expansive if you want it to be.

FYI: The catch of this area is this: It’s all (or the majority of it) owned by the military. I (I mean, a friend of mine) have been exploring this area for about 4 years now, and have never had any trouble with the military until recently. About a month ago (around 8/2004) my friend was riding alone along a fire road along a ridge by the military base landing strip, coming back from a 35+ mile ride that touched Scripps Ranch, El Cajon, and what not, and saw a dust trail coming towards him. What the!!! Well, long story short, the military police are very nice people, and did not take his $2,500 bike, but they gave him a nice warning while they wielded automatic rifles.

My advice, if you attempt to do this, is to be truthful and careful. Look, my friend is an American, and he loves his country, and was very respectful with the MP (did not throw the low gears on and try to dart for the single tracks….), so they were very respectful with him. Nothing happened, and it seemed open ended (don’t ask, don’t tell I guess). So I am not advocating riding in this area…..but it is some of the best, secluded, single track/fire road trails in the immediate county. Enter at your own risk my friends…and keep it clean please!

Also, look out for the naked guy who is out there on sunny mornings! This is not a joke…I would not suggest any women going out there on there own! The guy looks creepy, and I have seen him out there a couple of times…and he’s not the normal nudist type> he looks dirty.

Recommended Route:
If you want to push it, link it up by entering Mission Trails by Tierra Santa, and then hit this ride up....ouch! Its a long one.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
All Mission Trails.

Review Date
February 4, 2004

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes